Two Prague Town Squares, 1 The old Town Square
September 22nd 2008 09:56
The Old Town Square, or Staromestke namesti, is one of Prague’s busiest, most beautiful and most memorable corners.
It began life in the 10th century as a market place. Merchants from all over Bohemia and Europe came to buy and sell in the flourishing new city of Prague. The Old Town hall was added in 1338 to house Prague’s first city council. The square became the centre of civic administration and community life.
The Old Town Square has a stunning parade of Czech architecture across the ages, with Romanesque, Mediaeval, Gothic, Baroque and Cubist buildings side by side. The Old Town Hall, the Church of St Nicholas and the old baroque palace which now houses the National Gallery are three of its stars.
The monument to the great Czech reformer and nationalist Jan Hus sits the centre of the square. Hus, who was the first rector of Charles University, was a vehement critic of the corrupt Catholic Church and the Papacy. His incarceration at the stake led to the 14th and 15th century Hussite wars. The statue which is the work of Ladislav Saloud, was erected on July 6th, 1915, to mark the anniversary of Jan Hus’ death.
Today the Old Town Square swarms with sightseers, all year round and all day long. market tradition continues, but in a 21st century guise. Souvenir shops and galleries ply their trade to visitors from all over the world. It is fringed with restaurants and cafes where the people of Prague mingle with tourists. It is the meeting point for hundreds of different city tours
The Old Town Square
It began life in the 10th century as a market place. Merchants from all over Bohemia and Europe came to buy and sell in the flourishing new city of Prague. The Old Town hall was added in 1338 to house Prague’s first city council. The square became the centre of civic administration and community life.
The Old Town Square has a stunning parade of Czech architecture across the ages, with Romanesque, Mediaeval, Gothic, Baroque and Cubist buildings side by side. The Old Town Hall, the Church of St Nicholas and the old baroque palace which now houses the National Gallery are three of its stars.
The monument to the great Czech reformer and nationalist Jan Hus sits the centre of the square. Hus, who was the first rector of Charles University, was a vehement critic of the corrupt Catholic Church and the Papacy. His incarceration at the stake led to the 14th and 15th century Hussite wars. The statue which is the work of Ladislav Saloud, was erected on July 6th, 1915, to mark the anniversary of Jan Hus’ death.
Today the Old Town Square swarms with sightseers, all year round and all day long. market tradition continues, but in a 21st century guise. Souvenir shops and galleries ply their trade to visitors from all over the world. It is fringed with restaurants and cafes where the people of Prague mingle with tourists. It is the meeting point for hundreds of different city tours
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